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By Gus Untalan

Sharks’ Darren Meno slams this RBI single in the top of the second inning. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Led by Darren “Clutch” Meno’s three-for-three at bat, the Simon Sanchez Sharks proved why they are the defending High School Baseball Champions edging out the Southern High Dolphins 4-3 Thursday afternoon at the GW field. The game was called after five complete innings of play due to lack of lights.

“I feel good but I’m not the only one on my team,” said Shark’s left fielder Darren Meno. “We’re a family, they help me out because I can’t do it all by myself.”

Finding themselves down 2-1 in the top of the fourth inning, Sanchez found their rhythm at bat scoring three runs to take the lead that they would hold for the remainder of the game. Meno sparked the run hitting his second RBI of the game to deep center field that drove Lorenzo Flores home to tie the game at two runs even. Meno later reached home plate off a RBI single by Devin Chiguina that put the Sharks up by one run. With the bases loaded, Sanchez’s Christian Charfarous touched home on a bases loaded walk to round out the inning.

McDonald’s player of the game: Sharks’ Darren Meno. 3/3, 2 RBIs.

The loss was Southern’s first of the season as they were previously undefeated blowing out other opponents. “I had a good amount of confidence in my team that we could take them, most of us are returnees and we took them last year,” added Meno.

Dolphins pitcher Nicolas Cruz had four strikeouts in the loss. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Sanchez got on the board first in the top of the second inning as Meno hit a RBI single to right field that sent Lorenzo Flores home. However, the Dolphins answered right back in the bottom of the second as Cody Terlaje whacked an impressive 2 RBI double to center field that drove home Anthony Chaco and Nicolas Cruz to give Southern the lead.

Southern fought hard to the end adding a run in the fifth inning off a RBI double by Donovan Santos that drove Johnny Quenga home that cut the lead to one. The Sharks then used hard field play not allowing the Dolphins to gain momentum to secure the victory.

Despite the loss, Southern relief pitcher Nicolas Cruz led all pitchers finishing with four strikeouts.

With the win, the Sanchez Sharks improve to 4-1 with their only loss coming via forfeit due to lack of players while the Southern Dolphins drop to 3-1-1.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Dolphins’ Donovan Santos front flips safe into home plate before Sharks’ John Aguon could make the play. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Dolphins’ Nicolas Cruz pitches the ball to Sharks’ Daniel Cruz. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Sharks’ close out pitcher, Daniel Cruz, threw three strikeouts in the win. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Sharks’ John Aguon denies Dolphins’ Johnny Quenga a safe slide to home plate. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Sharks’ Shawn Dumanal makes a quick throw to teammate Christian Charfauros to try and make the out. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Sharks’ Lorenzo Flores safely steals second base before Dolphins’ Isaiah Cruz could make the catch. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

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